Red Dead Redemption 2 Gameplay Revealed

It’s a big day, as we have finally seen the first proper gameplay trailer from Rockstar’s highly anticipated Red Dead Redemption 2. In the just over six-minute video, we saw a whole lot of what Rockstar has been cooking up for us for the past near-decade of development. From gunplay, breathtaking vistas, to HUD details, this new trailer has everything to whet our appetites for a little while longer.

This time around, you play as Arthur Morgan (though John Marston, the protagonist from the original Red Dead Redemption, will also play a hefty role here), a high-ranking member of the infamous Van der Linde gang, which is now on the run across America’s old west from “the pressures of civilized life”.

Gang member interaction is at the forefront in this trailer. At each camp, Morgan can go hunting to feed the group, play games with the crew, or simply hang out with his fellow outlaws (which in turn can unlock new missions, secrets, and boost camp morale). Speaking of hunting, Rockstar has really fleshed it out by including an “environmental awareness” feature (think “witcher sense” from The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt), that helps you track and take down prey. Also, watch out for alligators in the map’s swampy areas (or crocodiles? I’m not sure what the difference is).

The world in Red Dead Redemption 2is far more alive than we’ve seen in the games of recent memory. Predators and prey fight without player interference, people become friends or foes depending on how you treat them, and weather shifts organically (and looks beautiful, check out the snow at 0:53!). Dialogue options are a remarkable addition to gameplay, giving you the opportunity to talk your way out of (or into) trouble with lawmen and rival gang members alike. Consequences are more in depth as well, so you’ll have to be careful with your choices depending on your moral compass, or lack thereof.

Just like Morgan’s relationship with the rest of the Van der Linde gang, his relationship with his horse will determine its loyalty and ability to control itself in sticky situations. You can also customize your horse’s saddle and saddlebags, as well as collect different breeds that are better at specific tasks.

The gunplay that we all love is back and improved, with slicker deadeye functions and realistic body physics. Each weapon serves a unique purpose, and players will be able to customize the way they play with a brand new arsenal of extremely detailed death-bringers at their disposal.

In addition to new gameplay features, the trailer showed off the gorgeous and expansive map that’s ripe for some intense exploration. If you can see it, you can go to it, and boy is this game pushing the boundaries of that. The even better news is that this is only the first part of a new gameplay trailer series, so there is surely more to come very soon. What do you hope to see in the next one? Let us know!

For all updates on Red Dead Redemption 2 and all your other gaming news, stay tuned to The Nerd Stash!